A mains electricity (AC-powered) device that provides light of high intensity, often called cold light, for viewing surgical fields and body cavities when using rigid or flexible endoscopes, e.g., arthroscopes, cystoscopes, laparoscopes, gastroscopes. It provides a source of bright light [e.g., typically using a xenon (Xe) light bulb] that is channelled via a light cable connecting this device to the endoscope to illuminate the site of observation/intervention while minimizing tissue heating.